Mr Rose, of Walthamstow, east London, said: "I was only six when he died.

"My aunt, who died two years ago, never got over it.

"That's why it's such a terrible thing for us."

Mr Rose's cousin was buried at the cemetery in Ripple Road after being hit by a car in Barking.

The London cab driver's parents died years later and have been laid to rest next to his grave.

Mr rose added: "We have left signs asking them to stop stealing but that didn't deter them.

"It's just callous."

A Met Police spokeswoman said: "Police are appealing for information concerning the identity of the woman pictured.

"She is wanted for questioning by police in connection with the theft of floral tributes from graves in Rippleside Cemetery. "Police do understand that thefts of this type are hugely distressing for relatives."

Mr Rose said cemetery staff had allowed him to put the camera in a tree. Barking and Dagenham Council said thefts from its cemetery were rare and vowed to co-operate with police.